Since the first-ever Nollywood movie (Living in bondage 1992) dropped, the industry has witnessed tremendous growth within the industry. Nollywood has captured the hearts of Nigerians, giving the classics like Diamond Ring and modern-day delights such as Isoken and Bling Lagosians.
The Nollywood industry ranks as the second-largest in the world by volume of movie produced. In recent years Nigerian movies have begun to garner critical acclaim. This is why we chose to create this list for all Nigerian movie lovers out there.
These movies would be ranked based on the amount earned at the box office. We will also be highlighting the cast members and where possible the directors, producers, and writers. We want you to have a well-rounded view of these movies and how they came to be. If you are into Nigerian movies, we promise this list is going to excite and intrigue you.
Top Highest Grossing Nigerian Movies
Without any delay here are the top seven highest grossing Nigerian movies from bottom to top:
1. A Trip to Jamaica
First on our list of the top highest grossing Nigerian movies is ‘A Trip to Jamaica’.
Despite receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics, A Trip to Jamaica was a successful movie by most standards. It shattered the highest-grossing movie record which was initially held by 30 days in Atlanta.
Ayo Makun produced A Trip to Jamaica with the direction of Robert Peters. A Trip to Jamaica features an all-star cast including Nse Ekpe Etim, Funke Akindele, Dan Davies and Ayo Makun among others.
The movie was shot in multiple locations and most notably out of the country in the city of Jamaica.
A trip to Jamaica grossed approximately 180 million Naira ($514 thousand) at the box office.
You can watch A Trip to Jamaica on Netflix.
2. Merry Men 2: Another Mission
The sequel to Merry Men is also on this list. Although it didn’t perform as well as its predecessor, the movie did not perform badly either. The 2019 sequel produced Ayo Makun and directed by Moses Iwang comes one year after the first merry men movie but was sadly not as successful at the box office.
Merry Men 2 follows the lives of four playboys who use their charm for Robin Hood-style behaviour. The movie packs a star-studded cast including Ireti Doyle, Jim Iyke, Ufoma Mcdermott, Damilola Adegbite and Nancy Isime. The movie reportedly grossed over 200 million Naira ($571 thousand).
3. Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons
Next on our list of the highest-grossing Nigerian movies is Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.
This movie is another brainchild project from Ayo Makun and is his third movie on our list. The movie under the direction of Toca Mcbaror came to the cinemas in 2018. Set in the country’s capital of Abuja, Merry Men follows the life of four robin hood styled playboys.
The movie is packed with a star-studded cast which includes Ramsey Noah, Folarin Falana (Falz), Ayo Makun, Jim Iyke, Ireti Doyle and a host of others. Merry Men is reported to have grossed a total of about 230 million Naira ($657 thousand) which places it comfortably on this list.
You can watch Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.
4. King of Boys
King of boys is a viral movie due to the impressive cast and unique shooting style. The action-packed movie was directed by Kemi Adetiba and is her second movie after the release of Wedding Party.
King of boys is also guilty of being star-studdING spotting the acting debut of rappers Reminisce and Illbliss. Other notable acts in the movie include Sola Sobowale, Adesua Etomi, Osas Ajibade, Akin Lewis and Demola Adedoyin.
Released in 2018, King of Boys grossed 240 million Naira ($685 thousand) at the box office according to reports.
You can watch King of Boys on Netflix.
5. Chief Daddy
Released in December of 2018, Chief Daddy was under the direction of Niyi Akinmolayan and produced by Mosunmola Abudu and Temidayo Abudu. The story written by Bode Asinyanbi Chief Daddy received a lot of mixed reviews from critics upon its release but went on to wax strong at the box office.
It has a host of famous faces including Late Henshaw, Joke Silva, Rachael Oniga, Nkem Owoh and Funke Akindele among other top talents.
Chief Daddy earned around 380 million Naira ($1.08 million) at the box office, making it the third highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time.
You can watch Chief Daddy on Netflix.
6. The Wedding Party
Directed by Kemi Adetiba, the Wedding Party is a romantic comedy-drama released in December of 2016 to general theatres. It was originally screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September of the same year.
King of Boys became an instant hit and went on to be the highest-grossing movie at the time before it was overtaken by its sequel in the coming year. It featured cast from some of the best talents in the Nigerian Industry including Richard Mofe Damijo, Iteti Doyle, Sola Sobowale and Adesua Etomi.
The movie grossed approximately 400 million Naira ($1.1 million) at the box office.
You can watch The Wedding Party on Netflix.
7. The Wedding Party 2
Finally on our list of the highest-grossing Nigerian movies is The Wedding Party 2.
The highest-grossing Nigerian movie ever is the sequel to the number two movie on our list. Wedding party 2: Destination Dubai was released to the viewing public in 2017 and most scenes were shot in both Lagos and Dubai.
Directed by Niyi Akiolayan, The Wedding Party 2 has a star-studded cast which includes Bankole Wellington, Adesua Etomi, Sola Sobowale, and Ireti Doyle among others. The movie grossed approximately 500 million Naira ($1.4 million), which is the highest amount ever earned by any Nigerian movie at the box office.
You can watch The Wedding Party 2:Destination Dubai on Netflix.
Final word
Movies can be very entertaining and relaxing. They are also a source of unparalleled joy to millions of homes in the country.
In this list, we have outlined and taken a deep dive into the biggest earners from the box office. If you haven’t seen any of the movies on our list, we advise you to do so.
The Nigerian movie industry has come a long way, and these movies are the start of something great.
You should share this list with any movie lover you know would want to see this.
Also, check out our list of the Top Music Video Directors in Nigeria.